Mattress for Infants

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a mattress for infants which reduces positional plagiocephaly. In one embodiment, the mattress includes a first portion and second portion, where the second portion is inclined relative to the first portion. In another embodiment, the surface of the second portion of the mattress includes a pattern of raised areas and depressed areas to support the neck and head of an infant.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mattress for infants, specifically a mattress which reduces positional plagiocephaly by proper positioning of an infant's head and by proper weight distribution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is a term used in the medical community to classify the death of an otherwise healthy infant under 1 year of age. SIDS typically impacts infants between 2 and 4 months of age. Diagnosis of SIDS can be difficult as there is frequently no underlying cause of death identified in an autopsy or investigation. Despite the mystery surrounding SIDS, medical research has identified multiple risk factors that can make an infant vulnerable to SIDS. The risk factors were formalized by Wedgewood in 1972 as the “Triple Risk Model”. These risks were identified as (1) a specific developmental stage, typically between 2 and 4 months of age, (2) a specific vulnerability, such as pre-term birth, and (3) a specific exogenous stress.

Recent education around SIDS has focused on reducing the third risk factor, exogenous stress to the infant. Some examples of exogenous stress could be a respiratory infection or a co-sleeping arrangement. The one exogenous stress which has received the most focus in the training and education of parents in recent years is sleeping in the prone position. Infants who sleep prone, meaning on their stomach, are much more likely to succumb to SIDS. Recent educational programs have focused on instructing parents to place their infants on their back for sleep rather than leave them in the prone position.

Results of this educational program have been remarkable. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), SIDS deaths in the United States dropped from about 130 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990, to only 35 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018. This is almost a 75% reduction in deaths in only 28 years.

One consequence of this educational program to reduce SIDS deaths is a condition called “positional plagiocephaly”. At birth, an infant's skull is not a fully developed bone structure. The skull consists of soft areas called fontanelles connecting several bony plates. In an infant, the bony plates forming the top of the skull, known as the calvaria, do not make full contact with each other but are separated by these soft fontanelles. Over time, the fontanelles will close up and the bones will grow together, forming a solid skull structure. But until that solid skull has formed, excess pressure on the soft areas of the fontanelles can cause deformity in the skull. The pressure of birth causes an initial deformity of the skull which typically resolves in a few days. But as an infant sleeps on their back, the weight of the head pressing against the sleeping surface can place enough pressure on the skull to cause further deformity of the skull. This skull deformity caused by an infant laying in the same position is positional plagiocephaly.

Treatment of positional plagiocephaly can be as simple as increasing the waking time an infant spends on their stomach to reduce the overall time that pressure is applied to the skull. In extreme cases, medical professionals may prescribe helmet therapy to reshape the skull.

In the specific case of neonatal infants, treatment options can be very limited. Due to the medical equipment and tubes connected to neonatal infants, they are required to spend most of their time on their back. Even with periodic time for soothing in the arms of a nurse or other medical professional, allocating sufficient time on their stomach is difficult.

Instead of resorting to treatment once positional plagiocephaly is diagnosed, it is much preferred to prevent positional plagiocephaly from birth. As such, there is a need for a mattress for infants, especially neonatal patients, which can properly distribute weight and reduce the localized pressures which cause plagiocephaly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a mattress for infants which reduces positional plagiocephaly. In one embodiment, the mattress includes a first portion and second portion, where the second portion is inclined relative to the first portion. In another embodiment, the surface of the second portion of the mattress includes a pattern of raised areas and depressed areas to support the neck and head of an infant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a profile view of one embodiment of the mattress.

FIG. 2 is detailed profile view of the second portion showing one embodiment of the surface material.

FIG. 3 is a detailed profile view of the second portion showing another embodiment of the surface material.

FIG. 3A is a detailed profile view of the second portion showing another embodiment of the surface material.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the first portion of the mattress.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the internal structures of the middle layer of the first portion of the mattress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention described in the following description may be incorporated into other devices not disclosed in the following description. Structures and elements shown in the drawings are exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not to be used to limit broader teachings of the present invention.

It is understood through the text of this disclosure that where elements are described as separate functional units, those skilled in the art will recognize that various elements or portions thereof may be integrated together. Where elements are described in the following description as integrated together into a combined element, those skilled in the art will similarly recognize that individual elements of the combination may be utilized as separate elements.

This specification includes references to “an embodiment of the present invention” or “one embodiment of the present invention”. This language is intended to refer to the particular elements and structures of the embodiment being discussed in that portion of the specification. Where references are made to “an embodiment of the present invention” or “one embodiment of the present invention” in other portions of the specification, those similarly refer to those particular elements and structures of the embodiment being discussed in that portion of the specification. Embodiments discussed in different portions of the specification may or may not refer to the same embodiment of the present invention.

The use of specific terminology in the specification is used for best describing the present invention and shall not be construed as limiting. The terms “include”, “including”, “comprise” and “comprising” shall be understood to be open terminology and not limiting the listed items.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention. A mattress 100 may be comprised of a first portion 110 and a second portion 120. The first portion may be comprised of a first side 112, a second side 113, a first end 114, and a second end 116. The second portion may be comprised of a first side 122, a second side 123, a first end 124, and a second end 126. The first end 124 of the second portion 120 may adjoin the second end 116 of the first portion 110. The first portion 110 and second portion 120 may be physically formed as a single element, or may be comprised of separate portions which are held together by a fabric cover, adhesive, buttons, zippers or any other mechanism for holding the two portions together.

In FIG. 1, the first portion is shown as a rectilinear shape which is easier to fit into a standard crib or bed structure. However, the first portion 110 may be any shape which includes a flat second end 116 which is capable to adjoin to the second portion 120.

In order to keep an infant's head in the optimal position, second portion 120 may be inclined, such that second end 126 is at a higher elevation than first end 124. The amount of incline shown in FIG. 1 is purely for demonstrating the invention. As infants, especially neonatal infants, are so small, the incline in an actual implementation of the present invention would typically be much less than what is shown in FIG. 1. This drawing should not be taken as a limitation of the present invention to encompass only the degree of incline shown. The present invention may be practiced using an incline greater than or less than the incline shown in FIG. 1.

The surface of the second portion 120 is shown in FIG. 1 as a flat surface, but second portion 120 may be comprised of a non-flat surface. FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the surface material composition of the second portion 120. In this embodiment, the second portion 120 is comprised of an uneven surface, with raised areas 210 and spaces 220 between the raised areas . The embodiment of FIG. 2 shows the uneven surface comprised of rounded raised areas 210, known in the art as an egg-crate structure. Many different shapes are encompassed in the present invention. The uneven surface could be implemented as a pattern of tetrahedron or triangular pyramid shapes, with raised areas at the peaks of the pyramid and depressions in between the peaks. Another embodiment uses a series of alternating ridges and depressions which traverse the width of the second portion 120, from first side 112 to second side 113. In one embodiment, the arrangement of the raised areas and depressions is a regular pattern with equal distances between raised areas and depressions, and in another embodiment, the arrangement of the raised areas and depressions could be an irregular pattern.

The uneven surface shown in FIG. 2 is operative to distribute the weight of the infant's head and reduce pressure on any one area of the head. Additionally, as the second portion 120 includes many raised areas 210 and spaces 220, the pressure on the infant's head will be different each time the infant is placed on the mattress 100. When the infant is first placed on the mattress 100, the infant's head will be in a specific position relative to the raised areas 210 and spaces 220. This will result in a specific pressure pattern on the infant's head. Then, after some time, the infant will then be lifted off of the mattress for treatment, soothing, or other purposes. When the infant is returned to the mattress, the head will be in a different position relative to the raised areas 210 and spaces 220, resulting in a different pressure pattern on the infant's head. Even a small difference in placement of the infant's head will create a different pressure pattern and reduce the incidence of positional plagiocephaly. In this way, the pressure pattern on the head will be constantly changing, which prevents any long-term pressure pattern from causing positional plagiocephaly.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the second portion 120. In this embodiment, the raised areas 310 on the outer periphery of the second portion may be higher than the raised areas 320 which are near the center of the axis from first side 122 and second side 123 and nearer to first end 124 than to second end 126. The section of lower raised areas 320 is termed the Infant Cranial Landing Zone for purposes of this disclosure. Raised areas 310 which are adjacent to either of the first end 124, second end 126, first side 122 or second side 123 may be higher above the surface of the second portion 120 than the raised areas 320 in the Infant Cranial Landing Zone. The raised areas adjacent to the first end 124 are operative to provide support for the back of the infant's neck. The variation in the size of the raised portions creates a natural cradle for the infant's head to rest largely in the same area. This can simplify the connection of medical equipment to the infant by constraining the infant's movement to a fixed area. The larger raised areas 310 near first end 124 additionally provide support for the infant's neck. The area of the Infant Cranial Landing Zone 320 may be significantly larger than the infant's head so that the infant's head will still be capable of resting in a slightly different location relative to the raised areas and depressions upon subsequent placement of the infant on the mattress, such that positional plagiocephaly is avoided.

The placement of the Infant Cranial Landing Zone within the second portion 120 may be in a standard position, or optionally, the second portion 120 may be custom designed to create an Infant Cranial Landing Zone at a unique position for a specific infant. The specific positioning of the Infant Cranial Landing Zone may be determined by manual measurements of an infant's body, by photographs of the infant, by custom scans of the infant's body, or another means for acquiring detailed measurements of an infant's body.

FIG. 3A shows another embodiment of the second portion 120. In one dimension, the first end 124 may be at a lower elevation than second end 126. The opposite dimension may be defined by first side 122 and second side 123. In this embodiment, the second portion may be constructed of a surface with an irregular pattern of raised areas and depressions. Such patterns are termed a “honeycomb erosion” pattern in the literature. Darker areas of the surface are at a lower elevation than lighter areas. Such a pattern provides the support for the infant's head and provides an irregular surface which will create a different pressure pattern on the infant's head each time the infant is placed on the mattress. This variation in pressure patterns will avoid positional plagiocephaly. Additionally, a raised shelf 127 may be included to provide support for the infant's neck.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section view of the first portion 110 of the mattress. Note that in this view, first portion 110 is rotated counter-clockwise by 90 degrees relative to the orientation shown in FIG. 1. This rotation is required to show the internal structures of first portion 110. Lower layer 410 may be comprised of a firm material such as a hard foam, latex, or another firm material. The middle layer 420 may be comprised of a softer material such as a soft foam, gel, or latex, or middle layer 420 may be comprised of an air-filled layer. Middle layer 420 includes a trunk-and-branch support structure comprised of elements 455, 451, 452 and 453. Elements of the trunk and branch structure may be comprised of a firmer material such as hard foam, latex or PVC. The trunk and branch structure provides additional support to the spine of an infant during early spinal development. The trunk structure 455 may run the length of the middle layer 420 of first portion 110, from first end 114 to second end 116. One end of the trunk structure 455 is shown at first end 114 in FIG. 4. First branch structure 450 may extend in a direction perpendicular to trunk structure 455. First branch structure 450 may extend from the trunk structure 455 towards first side 112, extending at least halfway from trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at first side 112. First branch structure 450 may extend from the trunk structure 455 towards second side 113, extending at least halfway from trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at second side 113. In FIG. 4, first branch structure 450 is shown extending all the way to the edge of first portion 110 at first edge 112, but the present invention may be practiced with other embodiments of different lengths of first branch structure 450. Second branch structure 451 may extend in a direction perpendicular to trunk structure 455. Second branch structure 451 may extend from the trunk structure 455 towards first side 112, extending at least halfway from trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at first side 112. Second branch structure 451 may extend from the trunk structure 455 towards second side 113, extending at least halfway from trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at second side 113. In FIG. 4, second branch structure 451 is shown extending all the way to the edge of first portion 110 at first edge 112, but the present invention may be practiced with other embodiments of different lengths of second branch structure 451. Third branch structure 452 may extend in a direction perpendicular to trunk structure 455. Third branch structure 452 may extend from the trunk structure 455 towards first side 112, extending at least halfway from trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at first side 112. Third branch structure 452 may extend from the trunk structure 455 towards second side 113, extending at least halfway from trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at second side 113. In FIG. 4, third branch structure 452 is shown extending all the way to the edge of first portion 110 at first edge 112, but the present invention may be practised with other embodiments of different lengths of third branch structure 452.

Top layer 430 may be a removable cover which can be removed for easy cleaning.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 is shown with three branch structures, but this specific example should not be construed as limiting the number of branch structures in another embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced in embodiments of more branch structures or fewer branch structures than those shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of the middle layer 420 of the first portion 110 of the mattress showing another embodiment of the present invention. The top layer and bottom layer have been removed to better show the internal trunk and branch structures. In embodiments of the present invention, the unshaded areas of middle layer 420 shown in FIG. 5 are filled with a foam or other mattress material, but this has been removed in FIG. 5 to better show the detail of the trunk and branch structure. Trunk structure 455 may extend in one direction the length of the middle layer 420, from first end 114 to second end 116. First branch structure 450 extends in a lengthwise direction from trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at first side 112. First branch structure 450 extends in a lengthwise direction from the trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at second side 113. This dimension defines the length of the first branch structure 450. First branch structure 450 extends in depth from the top of middle layer 420 to the bottom of middle layer 420. This dimension defines the depth of the first branch structure 450. Second branch structure 451 extends in a lengthwise direction from the trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at first side 112. Second branch structure 451 extends in a lengthwise direction from the trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at second side 113. This dimension defines the length of the second branch structure 451. Second branch structure 451 extends in depth from the top of middle layer 420 a distance less than the full distance from the top of middle layer 420 to the bottom of middle layer 420. This dimension defines the depth of the second branch structure 451. Second branch structure 451 may extend less than the full distance from the top of middle layer 420 to the bottom of middle layer 420. Third branch structure 452 extends in a lengthwise direction from trunk structure 455 towards the edge of first portion 110 at first side 112. Third branch structure 452 extends a distance at least halfway from trunk structure 455 to first side 112, but less than the full distance from trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at first side 112. Third branch structure 452 extends in a direction from trunk structure 455 towards the edge of first portion 110 at second side 113. Third branch structure 452 extends a distance at least halfway from trunk structure 455 to second side 113, but less than the full distance from trunk structure 455 to the edge of first portion 110 at second side 113. This dimension defines the length of the third branch structure 452. Third branch structure 452 extends in depth from the top of middle layer 420 to the bottom of middle layer 420. This dimension defines the depth of the third branch structure 452.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 is shown for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments of the present invention may include other specific combinations of branch structures of different lengthwise dimensions and different depths. One embodiment of the present invention may contain branch structures of all the same lengths and depths, or may contain branch structures of different lengths and depths. 

I claim:
 1. A mattress for infants, comprising: a first portion with a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end, wherein the entire said first portion is level with the ground; and a second portion with a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end, wherein said first end adjoins the second end of said first portion and said second portion is inclined such that said second end of said second portion is at a higher elevation than said first end of said second portion.
 2. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein said second portion includes a raised shelf at said first end, to provide support for an infant's neck.
 3. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein said second portion is further comprised of a pattern of raised areas.
 4. A mattress according to claim 3, wherein said pattern of raised areas is a regular arrangement of equally spaced and similarly sized raised areas.
 5. A mattress according to claim 4, wherein said raised areas near the periphery of said second portion are higher above the surface of said second portion than are said raised areas in the Infant Cranial Landing Zone.
 6. A mattress according to claim 5, wherein said pattern of raised areas is an irregular arrangement of raised areas.
 7. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein said first portion includes a lower layer, middle layer and top layer.
 8. A mattress according to claim 7, wherein said middle layer is further comprised of a soft foam material.
 9. A mattress according to claim 8, wherein said middle layer is further comprised of an embedded trunk structure extending from said first end of said first portion to said second end of said second portion.
 10. A mattress according to claim 9, wherein said trunk structure is comprised of a firm material.
 11. A mattress according to claim 10, wherein said middle layer is further comprised of a plurality of branch structures in a direction perpendicular to said trunk structure and adjoining said trunk structure.
 12. A mattress according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of branch structures is comprised of a firm material.
 13. A mattress according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of branch structures extend from said first side to said second side of said middle layer.
 14. A mattress according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said plurality of branch structures extend a distance less than the full distance from said first side to said second side of said middle layer. 